2019 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid Plug-In Reviews, Pricing & Specs

The Hyundai Ioniq name encompasses a family of compact liftbacks that put efficiency above all else. Last year, Hyundai added the Ioniq...

The Hyundai Ioniq name encompasses a family of compact liftbacks that put efficiency above all else. Last year, Hyundai added the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid to the fold. For 2019, it carries over with no alterations.

The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid pairs a 1.6-liter inline 4-cylinder engine with a 6-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT), electric motor, and 8.9 kilowatt-hour battery for a combined 139 horsepower. It’s good for 29 all-electric miles at 129 miles-per-gallon-equivalent (MPGe) and 630 miles of combined driving range. On a standard 110-volt Level 1 charger, the battery rises from depleted to full in under 9 hours. That time shrinks to 2 hours and 18 minutes on a 220-volt Level 2 charger. When operating as a hybrid, it still achieves 52 combined mpg. Hyundai takes a blended approach to managing the use of the gasoline engine and electric motor. The only way to keep it in EV mode is with light applications of the throttle and a full battery. There’s also a Sport mode that configures the display and tunes the car for more responsiveness. An HEV mode relies on the gasoline engine to keep the battery state charged.

Keeping thing simple, there are two specifications for the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid: Base and Limited. The Base trim comes with projector headlights, LED taillights, LED daytime-running lights, dual-zone automatic temperature control, a 6-way manual front seat with height adjustment, heated front seats, a 60/40 split-folding rear seat, keyless access and start, and a 7-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Stepping up to the Limited trim gets you integrated side-mirror indicators, chrome exterior accents, LED headlights, rear air vents, a 10-way power driver’s seat with power lumbar support, leather upholstery, memory settings for the driver’s seat, and a 7-inch LCD instrument cluster. The Ultimate Package includes an 8-inch infotainment system with navigation, LED interior lighting, wireless charging, an Infinity 8-speaker audio system, a power sunroof, and HID headlights.

As far as safety goes, every Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid comes with a reversing camera and a blind-spot mirror. The Limited trim, when equipped with the Ultimate package, replaces the blind-spot mirror with active blind-spot monitoring, as well as bundling rear cross-traffic alert and lane-change assist. The Ultimate Package tacks on automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and adaptive headlights. Of the Ioniq family, only the Ioniq Hybrid was crash tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in 2018, where it earned a Top Safety Pick designation.

The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid is the value pick of the segment, with true plug-in capabilities and plenty of features at a price that’s more than palatable. If you’re looking for a similarly sized plug-in hybrid that exploits its electric nature, the Chevrolet Volt or Toyota Prius Prime might be superior options.